Backpacking the Bay of Fundy Footpath
4 days from St. Martins to Transfer Bay
From $ 1349
Duration4 days
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Enjoy the world’s highest tides, lush forests, beach campsites and sea caves on this incredible 4-day supported backpacking adventure. The Bay of Fundy is very much celebrated for its rugged geology and natural beauty. Wedged between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the area sits along 170 miles of steep cliffs and the world’s highest tides. It is a designated dark-sky preserve, a UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve, and was voted Canada’s Top Natural Wonder. Because of its unique shape, the Bay of Fundy can experience roaring waves up to more than 50 feet high. It is an extraordinary and humbling thing to witness from afar. This trip takes us along the Fundy Footpath, a once-in-a-lifetime way to explore the area’s phenomenal marine biodiversity and climate. Hike among ancient trees to deep canyons, rushing waterfalls and pristine beaches. Revel in a portion of the Maritime Acadian Highlands and part of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Enjoy evenings marveling at the tide and the stars. Exit the trail having experienced one of the Northeast’s most intriguing natural wonderlands with new memories and new friends.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 4 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: St. Martins
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Transfer Bay
    Ages: 18+
Backpacking the Bay of Fundy Footpath - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Visit St. Martins Sea Caves and enter the Fundy Footpath.

Start place: St. Martins

Our guides welcome us to the Bay of Fundy in the city of Saint John—Canada’s oldest incorporated city—where we’ll meet our fellow travelers before proceeding to the coastal fishing village of St. Martins. This unique village is rich in history and offers amazing views at every turn. Enjoy the village’s famous covered bridges and the incredible sea caves carved into the cliff side by the remarkable Bay of Fundy tides. We then travel to the trailhead at Big Salmon River where our backpacking adventure begins. After a trailside lunch, we will spend approximately four to five hours on the Fundy Footpath. The path runs through the longest stretch of wilderness coastline between Florida and Labrador. Once we arrive at Seely Beach, we will cross over to our campsite for the night. We enjoy a fresh, locally inspired meal and sit by the campfire and enjoy the stars.
Backpacking 3.5 miles; 750’ elevation gain and loss.
Group gear including tents, cooking gear, stoves/fuel, water filters and food (except lunches and snacks) will be transported separately to each camp location.
Day 2: Backpack to Little Salmon River to watch the tide and the stars.
Fresh coffee in camp and a hearty breakfast help us get an early start on our continuing trek along the Fundy Footpath. Today’s journey includes a handful of steep ascents and descents before lunch at Cradle Brook, as we hike between the many Bay of Fundy river valleys. After an active day on the trail, we enjoy the serenity of our campsite. Dustan Brook campsite will be our camp for the next two nights.
Backpacking 6 miles; 2000’ elevation gain and loss.
Day 3: Hike to Eye of the Needle and Walton Glen Falls.
Today we have a leisurely wake-up along the shores of Dustan Brook and Little Salmon River, another amazing place along the Fundy Footpath and part of the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve. Remaining at this camp for two nights means we can leave the heavy packs behind and set out with only our daypacks. After a breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, our guides lead us for a day hike to the Eye of the Needle in Walton Glen Canyon. We need to cross the river a couple times, so bring your water shoes and be prepared to get wet. Once in the canyon, we marvel at the steep cliffs lining each side as we hop from rock to rock and reach Walton Glen Falls.
Hiking 5.5 miles; 750’ elevation gain and loss.
Day 4: Exit the trail for a seafood lunch. Transfer back to Saint John.
Our final morning starts with another hearty breakfast in camp before we pack our personal gear and make our reluctant journey to the trailhead; there our transportation awaits to take us to Long Beach at the Fundy Trail Parkway. A final celebration lunch on the beach gives us the opportunity to enjoy the fresh seafood that is the main industry of the thriving fishing village of St. Martins. While we enjoy fresh lobster on the beach, we recount our favorite moments from the past few days of backpacking the Bay of Fundy. Our guides transfer us back to Saint John as we bid a final farewell to new friends.
Backpacking 2 miles; 800’ elevation gain and loss.

End place: Transfer Bay

Inclusions

Included

  • Professional instruction and guiding
  • meals as noted on the daily itinerary
  • tents
  • group cooking gear
  • group first aid kit, water filter
  • campsite and permit fees
  • transportation as noted in the itinerary

  • Accommodation

    Backpacking tents, 3 nights

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